How to care for patent leather shoes at home, the best cleaning products
Lacquered shoes are often chosen to complete a stylish look, but so that faded or misshapen shoes don't spoil the mood, it's important to know how to maintain them properly. Regular care with professional or folk remedies will help maintain attractiveness, which includes cleaning, drying, surface protection and proper storage of shoes.
Features
The beauty and festive look of patent leather shoes is provided by a glossy film that covers the surface of the material.This mirror finish makes it difficult to maintain, being fragile and very demanding on external conditions. When using lacquered shoes and boots, one should remember the features of the material, taking into account the fact that it will be easier to provide proper care and extend the life of stylish shoes.
Temperature changes
Lacquer is afraid of both severe frosts and heat. Freezing temperatures will cause cracking and hot air will melt the varnish. Direct sunlight will make the problem worse.
It is better to wear shoes with a shiny surface in the temperature range from 0 to 25 degrees above zero.
Tendency to scratch
The mirror coating is easily damaged both during wear and when cleaning with the wrong hard tools and powders. To avoid scratches, you need to choose the right shoe care products and equipment, without using abrasives, wire-bristle brushes or harsh sponges.
creases and cracks
If the material dehydrates, creases and cracks appear over time. To avoid them, it is necessary to periodically treat the shoes with a folk or professional remedy.
Loss of elasticity
Humidity can cause patent shoes to lose their elasticity. To prevent this from happening, in rainy or too humid weather, it is necessary to favor boots made of less picky materials.
Varnish dullness
Glossy surfaces can lose their shine due to solvents. In this regard, it is strictly forbidden to remove stains from patent leather shoes with gasoline or acetone.
The humidity is bad
Water is harmful to patent leather shoes. In case of prolonged contact with liquid or high humidity, the material may lose its shape and color.
Rules of care
Shoes and boots with a shiny coating should be cleaned after each use, softening the material and protecting it. But when servicing a demanding material, special attention should be paid to the choice of tools and the rules for their use.
Selection of materials
Wipe the varnished surface only with a soft flannel or microfiber cloth, or with a cotton ball.
If wet processing is required, the fabric is wrung out well to minimize contact of the coating with water.
Efforts
Do not rub your shoes too actively. The pressure should be light, otherwise micro-damages may appear on the surface, which will accumulate dust and over time spoil the appearance of the product.
What not to use
When choosing means and tools for caring for varnished shoes, it is necessary to abandon the following substances or equipment:
- It is forbidden to clean with hard brushes.
- Powdered abrasives will scratch.
- Formulations containing alcohol are harmful to the lacquer film.
- The use of a soapy solution is unacceptable due to its alkali content.
Presentation of professional tools
In addition to patent leather shoes, you can immediately choose store care products. Shoe cosmetics vary in cost and functionality, making it possible to purchase specialized or universal options for every taste and pocketbook.
Below are branded funds with good reputation.
Riife varnished sapphire
With the French remedy Saphir Vernis Rife you can clean both natural and artificial patent leather, giving it a deep mirror shine. The liquid is applied evenly to the surface using a napkin supplied with the kit, and polished with a velvet cloth, without waiting for drying.
Salamander teacher lack of care
Salamander Professional Lack Care Foam Cleaner is designed to clean and maintain all types of patent leather. The product easily and conveniently removes dust and traces of grease, while keeping the skin soft, supple and restoring the color of the products. The foam is applied to a previously cleaned surface, which is then polished.
SALTON Professional
The SALTON Professional line includes both universal products suitable for the maintenance of all types of shoes, and specially designed for trendy materials. The latter includes the cream for patent leather shoes of natural and artificial origin. The product gives shine after polishing and protects against humidity.
The salamander lacks varnish
German colorless cream is designed for the protection and cleaning of natural and synthetic patent leathers. The product is applied with a soft cloth to the surface, which is polished after drying. After treatment, the varnished shoes will have a mirror shine.
Relaxed Twist Treatments
Twist Casual Care Shine Cream for smooth skin is available in small shiny tubes with an integrated applicator. The tool takes care of the material, restores color, adds shine, protects against precipitation and reagents. Compares favorably in terms of cost.
Classic foam lacks Collonil
Collonil Classic Lack Mousse spray foam retains the shine and elasticity of patent leather, prevents cracking and provides protection. The foam is applied to a previously cleaned surface with a soft cloth and then polished.
Famaco oil varnish
Famaco Oil Varnish Patent Leather Conditioner removes dust, stains and dirt from surfaces, protects and maintains shine.The advantage of the product is that it prevents cracking, abrasion and burnout of the material. Regular use of conditioner will keep your patent leather shoes looking shiny and springy.
Money
SILVER Turkish Shoe Cosmetics are suitable for daily care, deep cleaning and restoring shine to shoes made of different materials, including patent leather. A wide range of products will allow you to choose products that protect shoes from moisture and dirt, restore elasticity, moisturize and polish.
Tarrago
The shoe care products, tools and accessories of the Spanish brand Tarrago are sold all over the world. The Patent Leather Cream is used to clean the material, soften it and give it shine. The product will protect your shoes from stains and cracks.
Home cleaning methods
No worse than specialized commercial creams and aerosols, improvised means can cope with the task of caring for patent leather shoes. Their advantage is availability and lower cost.
Minor damage
If you do not immediately remove minor scratches, they can increase and irreversibly spoil the appearance of the lacquered surface. You can mask minor damage with regular wax.
To do this, melt a candle of a suitable shade in a water bath, carefully apply the wax to the scratch with a cotton swab and let the substance harden. After about ten minutes, petroleum jelly is applied to the restored area.
The return of shine
Lacquered natural leather can be shiny with glass cleaner. The product is used to treat the surface and wipe it with a cloth, without waiting for it to dry.
Onions and vinegar will also help shine patent leather shoes.The cleaned surface is rubbed with a cut onion, and when the onion juice dries, the shoes are treated with a cloth soaked in a solution of vinegar and water. At the final stage, polishing with a dry cloth will be required.
Egg white
Even if long-term storage conditions meet all requirements, after spending several months in a box, patent leather boots may lose their softness and shine. Egg white, whipped into a cool foam, will help restore a shiny look. In addition, it hides microcracks and abrasions, forming the thinnest film on the surface.
For a pair, a beaten protein is enough. Distribute the product with a soft cloth, and after two minutes, gently wash with a dry cloth.
color marker
A permanent marker in an appropriate shade will help hide minor damage to the varnished surface. On previously cleaned shoes, the scratches are repainted and then covered with wax or shoe polish.
Glycerol
With the help of glycerin, patent leather shoes restore softness and elasticity. To do this, the agent is applied to the surface with a cotton ball for half an hour, after which the excess is removed with a soft, polished cloth. To avoid deformation, boots should not be worn for 24 hours after glycerin treatment.
Eyeliner
Small cracks can be covered with makeup of the appropriate color. Depending on the shade of the shoe, they take an eye pencil, eyebrow pencil, lip pencil and eye shadow. The cosmetic is applied to the damage, shaded with a dry towel and polished with a soft cloth.
Remove stains of various origins
In order to remove dirt, you can use both purchased remedies and home remedies. Folk techniques will save your budget and at the same time achieve a result that is not inferior to treatment with professional stain removers.
Milk
Milk is an affordable and inexpensive remedy to get rid of dark spots. With a cotton ball soaked in liquid, the surface is treated until the contamination disappears. After drying, the shoes are waxed by folk or professional means.
Gum
The eraser can remove black streaks and other dirt from the varnished surface. For cleaning, choose a soft white eraser, which gently wipes away smudges.
Lemon juice
Citrus juice is effective against dark streaks, ink, wine and coffee stains. A cotton ball is moistened in the product and the surface is treated, after which the shoes are wiped with a soft cloth and dried.
Onion
The advantage of onions is that they can treat different types of stains, but they are also harmless to the surface of the varnish and are affordable. The main disadvantage is a pungent odor, due to which, after treatment, the shoes are not not used for several days until they disappear.
The juice is applied to the contamination, which is obtained by squeezing the chopped onion on a grater. The tool can be used to process the entire surface as a whole, it will give shine and refresh the appearance.
Remover
Nail polish remover is used to remove dark streaks. It is important to remember that the lacquered surface can only be treated with an acetone-free product. The method is used for dark-colored shoes, yellow spots may appear on light-colored shoes.
The agent is pre-tested in a discrete area.
Using a cotton swab dipped in liquid, gently remove any dark scratches, being careful not to get any polish around the dirt. After removing the stains, petroleum jelly or a special impregnation is immediately applied to the surface.
Salt
You can remove stains with a solution of 1 tablespoon of salt, a glass of water and a few drops of detergent. Thoroughly stir the salt or strain the mixture, this is done so that undissolved particles do not damage the varnish.
The contamination is treated with a cotton pad soaked in the product, left to dry, then vegetable oil is applied. After five minutes, remove the excess with a dry cloth.
Features of caring for shoes of different colors
Shop impregnations, dyes and other shoe products are usually available in different colors. You can buy a universal colorless cream or choose a shade that matches a particular pair of shoes. When using folk methods, you should pay attention to the fact that not all of them are universal, choosing the right tool will allow you not to damage the color of the material.
Dark
Dark brown and black shoes can be treated with tea or coffee. The product cleans the surface, gives shine and a pleasant golden tint. The drink is cooled, filtered and applied with a cotton ball.
Light
Light colored shoe stains can be removed with ammonia. To do this, prepare a solution of half a liter of water, half a teaspoon of detergent and the same amount of ammonia. A cotton ball is moistened in the product and the surface is treated. The remnants of the solution are removed from the shoes with a soft, damp cloth, then wiped off.
Drying
After each ride, varnished shoes should be dried as quickly as possible so that the glossy surface does not suffer from moisture. Considering the fact that heaters cannot be used, this is a difficult task that absorbers will help to solve.
Charcoal
Several activated charcoal tablets are placed inside the shoes. As they get wet, they will need to be replaced with dry ones.
Salt
The salt is wrapped in a towel and put in the shoes. For one serving, take a tablespoon of the product.
Baking soda
Putting baking soda in your boots will help dry them out quickly. The powder absorbs moisture as well as salt and activated carbon.
Soft and clean paper
To speed up the drying of the inside of your boots or boots, you need clean, crumpled paper. Newspapers cannot be borrowed as the ink can be printed on damp surfaces.
protection
To prevent cracking, lacquered shoes should be coated with a protective emollient.
For this purpose, you can use a professional tool or an improvised option; various fatty compositions and oils are often used.
Glycerol
Glycerine softens and protects lacquered leather. The product is evenly distributed over the surface with a cotton pad, left for half an hour, and the excess is removed with a soft cloth.
Vaseline
Vaseline has a nourishing and water-repellent function. The substance is rubbed on the surface, then the residues are removed and polished.
Refined vegetable oils
The oils will give elasticity to the skin and protect it from water. Any available refined vegetable oil can be used, such as castor oil, olive oil, most common soy or sunflower oil.
Beaver
Castor oil is spread on the surface of the shoe with a sponge, left for half an hour to absorb, then polished. The tool is used, among other things, to prevent the appearance of creases.
Soy
Soybean oil is used to impregnate leather shoes in its pure form, or a cream is prepared on its basis by adding lanolin and beeswax. The varnished surface is covered with a product for half an hour, after which the excess is wiped off with a soft, polished cloth.
olive
Olive oil is applied evenly to a dust-free surface and dried with a cotton ball. The material is soaked for at least 10 minutes, after which the excess product is washed off and the surface is polished.
Sunflower
Sunflower oil will not only soften and protect the varnished surface, but also help remove dirt. For example, drops of oil paint can be wiped away without damaging the surface using vegetable oil.
Seasonal characteristics
Lacquered shoes at any time of the year should be cleaned, dried and waxed after each use. Depending on the weather conditions of each season, more attention is paid to the different stages of the grooming process.
Summer
When putting on patent shoes in the summer, remember that if the temperature is too high, the surface may crack. In addition, it is dangerous for the health of the feet due to a violation of thermoregulation, since varnished shoes are poorly breathable.
In summer, a large amount of dust settles on the shoes, which must be removed with a soft cloth after each walk. We must not forget the cleaning of the sandals from the inside, which is carried out with the help of a damp cotton.The treatment is completed by treating the shoes with a polishing paste and a dry cloth.
In winter
When using patent leather shoes in the cold season, frosty and snowy weather should be avoided. After each wearing, the boots are dried naturally by removing the insoles and drying them separately.
The outer surface is cleaned, smoothed and polished using special or folk remedies. The inside of the boots is treated with hydrogen peroxide, which has an antibacterial effect and eliminates odors.
Autumn Spring
In the low season, the main danger to the shine is rain and wet mud, so it is advisable to take measures to remove moisture from the surface of the shoe as quickly as possible. It is best to have a soft cloth with you to remove the water immediately after putting on your boots.
When you return from a walk, you should clean and dry your shoes thoroughly. After that, the surface is treated with a polishing agent and shined with a soft cloth.
Efficient problem solving
The main guarantee of a presentable appearance is careful operation, but even with careful handling, stains, scratches, chips, abrasions may appear on the delicate varnish surface. If you hide the flaws in time, without allowing an increase in the affected area, the shoes will retain their beauty and cleanliness.
black bands
Dark stripes often appear on shoes, it is enough to touch a shoe with the sole of another or another object. These stains can be removed with milk, any vegetable oil, a soft and light eraser.
Black spots are also removed with an acetone-free nail polish remover. Since the agent is aggressive, it is recommended to use it only when other cleaning methods have proved powerless.
scrapes
Damage caused by peeling paint film can be repaired with nail polish. Choose a color that matches the shade of the shoe, a colorless product is also suitable. Stick the film on the base with nail polish, press it and let it dry.
Feel
The smell inside the shoes is formed due to the activity of microorganisms. You can remove it by treating the inside surface with hydrogen peroxide or another antibacterial agent.
pleats
If creases have formed on the varnished shoes, they can be removed with a mixture of 1 yolk, 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil and 1 tablespoon of turpentine. The tool is used in a week.
scratches
Deep scratches cannot be removed without leaving a trace, but any of the following available tools will work to cover minor damage:
- clear or colored wax;
- liquid skin;
- nail polish;
- permanent marker;
- decorative cosmetics;
- soft pencil.
The scratch is painted over with the chosen agent, the problem area is covered with a polishing compound and treated with a dry cloth.
Storage rules
In order for patent leather to retain its shine and not crack during storage, it must be prepared and properly packaged. The following guidelines should be followed:
- In preparation for storage, the shoes are cleaned and carefully dried.
- Each pair is packed in a ventilated box, the left and right shoes are placed in a separate cloth bag.
- To prevent cracking, an emollient should be applied to the material.
- Special spacers or crumpled paper are placed inside the shoes.
- Store patent shoes away from heating elements, avoiding high humidity.
Lacquered shoes will only look good if handled with care. Otherwise, the glossy surface may crack, become covered with creases and cracks and lose its shine. By observing simple rules of operation, the life of stylish shoes can be extended for more than one season.